In the world of wild cats the cheetah is famous for its speed, agility and raw instinct. It is a fleet footed creature which has evolved into one of fastest killing machines in the animal kingdom. What really makes the cheetah so special is the way it has evolved. Every genetic code in its body has purposefully equipped this big cat to achieve speed and maintain its balance in high speed manoeuvres and take downs. You would say a lot of wild cats are fast but then again they are not the fastest, the most agile or the most graceful beasts out there. Now that you are informed let me tell you my encounter with the petrol powered cheetah of the 160cc motorcycle world.
It was six in the morning and I could smell the fresh ocean breeze in pristine Goa. My heart was racing because I had just got behind the bar of a brand new Honda CB Hornet 160R. When I first set eyes on this bike I knew there was something special about it. The bike doesn’t really scream for attention but is graceful in establishing its presence. Just like the cheetah the 160cc Hornet also has been purposefully equipped to achieve speed and maintain its balance. Pumping power into its paces is the 162.71cc, single cylinder, air cooled, 4-stroke, SI engine. The engine pumps out 15.6bhp at 8500rpm and 14.76Nm of torque at 6500rpm. While these figures may not be so high they are in fact the best the 160cc segment has to offer and help the Hornet achieve a top speed of 110kmph. Being a Honda you can expect a lot of refinement from this bike. The engine feels smooth and the bike seamlessly accelerates on command.
The design and styling on the Hornet make it look like a much bigger bike with a higher capacity engine. The muscular looking tank with forward leaning shrouds and a carbon patterned cover on the tank give the bike an elegant yet edgy and aggressive look. The headlamp also comes with two positioning lamps and the side indicators have been placed a little higher for increased visibility. The Hornet has a distinct ‘X’ shaped LED tail lamp which adds appeal to the bikes aggressive. The bike also sports a compact two piece muffler and wider rear tyres which provide immense grip while cornering. Riding the Hornet in corners is a real treat, the front tyre profile is a 100/80 R17 the rear is a fat 140/70 R17. The tyres grip the road well and the bike handles like a dream. To enhance the offering Honda has also added 5 spoke split alloy wheels which give the Hornet a very sporty look.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
162.71cc, Air cooled, 4-stroke, SI
Transmission
5-speed
Max Power
15.6bhp@8500 rpm
Max Torque
14.76Nm@6500 rpm
Frame type
Diamond
Length x Width x Height
2041mm x 783mm x 1067mm
Wheel Base
1345mm
Suspension
Front
Telescopic Fork
Rear
Monoshock
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes
276mm Disc
220mm Disc
Front Tyres
Rear Tyres
100/80-R17 (Tubeless)
140/70-R17 (Tubeless)
Kerb Weight (Kgs)
142
Fuel Tank capacity
12.0 litres
Price (ex-showroom Delhi)
Rs 84,400
The Hornet rides on telescopic forks in the front and a monoshock suspension in the rear. The bike has a low set seating position and the single saddle provides ample body support for the rider and pillion. Braking on this bike has been facilitated by a 3 pot calliper on 276mm petal disc in the front and a 2 pot calliper on the 220mm petal disc in the rear. The bike comes with a CBS (Combi Brake System) which give the brakes adequate bite on road. The brakes did not lock up but we could feel the CBS at work in panic braking conditions. The Hornet comes with a 12 litre fuel tank and returns almost 62 kilometers to the litre.
The switch gear on the bike has been places in an ergonomic manner and feels comfortable to operate. The bike has a fully digital console which can be operate and read quite easily even at higher speeds. We felt that the switch gear on the bike could have been a bit different from that on Honda’s other models and an engine kill switch could have been added. The bike is available in 5 different colour options which are al quite subtle and look good. We rode the CBS variant of the CB Hornet which is available for Rs. 84,400 (Ex-showroom Delhi). The design philosophy on the bike is quite refreshing and this 160cc cheetah is fun to ride in the city. The Hornet offers a well rounded package of performance, design, mileage and technology. The bike has been priced attractively and definitely offers a lot of bang for your buck.
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